Did you ever make stretch bead bracelets as a kid? I loved creating these with my sister back in the day and I’m so happy this cute trend has made a comeback! These childhood friendship bracelets are being sold everywhere for women with their trendy and chic updated look, but some are super pricey once you add in all of the beads you need. We loved the Custom Black Pisa Beaded Bracelet on BaubleBar and knew we could make them for less! Here we will show you a letter bead bracelets DIY project that is simple and fun!
We thought why not make these ourselves being they will be much cheaper and also with all of this time on our hands! Similarly, you can even have the kids help create them with you. Using gold beads and then black and white beads for the letter beads really steps up the chicness of these and makes them not look so adolescent. Personalize them with your children’s name(s), positive phrases or your own name. These make for a great gift as well! Moms would love these with their kid’s names on them for Mother’s Day. Create a bunch and stack them for a trendy look.
Supplies Needed for Letter Bead Bracelets DIY
- Decorative Solid Colored Beads- I used these 14k gold beads and these black tourmaline beads, size 4mm found on Amazon. They feel really nice once the bracelet is finished on my wrist and the gold doesn’t turn after wearing. These gold beads are lower in price if you would like a more affordable gold bead option. I prefer smaller beads but you can use larger 5mm and 6mm beads too if you wish! The bigger bead, the less you’ll use. 🙂
- Letter beads- There are many options on Amazon! I chose black letter beads round 7mm (I liked the carrying case) and white letter beads round 6mm. (Note: In person, the white and black letter beads both look like 6mm so not sure why the black says 7mm but they look the same size!)
- Elastic String. I used Paxcoo 0.8mm Elastic String. (Note: Make sure the size elastic cord you buy fits inside the size beads you choose to use.)
- Scissors
- Fast clear drying glue. I used GS Cement glue.
Pre-Beading Instructions
Step 1: Choose the color solid beads and letter beads you will want to use for the phrase on the bracelet.
STEP 2: Cut a 12 inch piece of your elastic cord. Your bracelet will end up being much shorter than this, but I found it much easier to string beads when there was some extra room on the cord to work with when adding the beads. Give your elastic string a tug and stretch it out a little before starting.
Step 3: Before you start to thread your beads, you can attach a small piece of tape to the end of the cord or tie a very loose knot to one end of your cord so you don’t lose your beads as you thread them.
Letter Bead Bracelets DIY Instructions
Step 1: Firstly, thread your letter beads onto the cord and be creative! You can choose positive and fun phrases, spell out your name, your children’s names or add other type of decorative beads, too!
Step 2: Don’t worry about sizing. You can always adjust and add or remove beads once you check the size against your wrist. You want to make sure there is some slack leftover on the cord to tie your knot. Just make sure to have the same amount of decorative beads on either side of your letter beads so the design is symmetrical on your wrist.
Step 2: Once all of the beads have been added, it is time to combine both ends of the cord and tie it into a knot. Make a simple overhand knot and pull it tight. Repeat a second time and make another knot pulling it tight.
Securing Your Bead Creation
Step 1: You will need to add a dab of glue to the knot to really keep it secure. Good to have a napkin nearby to protect surface. You can use GS Cement Glue. (I like the needle-like tip for precision.) Any kind of fast drying glue that has a more liquid consistency than a gooey consistency will work. You only need a tiny bit! Let your bracelet dry. Depending on the glue you choose, read the directions and follow the instructions for the length of drying time. Ultimately it may take a few hours to dry. In short, you want to make sure you have that added stability and the glue is dry.
Step 2: Trim the excess cord at the end of the knot with scissors to get as close to the knot as you can. Note: I like to do this after I glue the knot and not before, so I have the extra slack to pull on with one hand and spread beads apart to really get in there with the glue tip. If you trim the bracelet first, it is harder to get near the knot to add the glue.
And that is it! This letter bead bracelets DIY is an easy and simple craft to do. Making a bunch of different bracelets with different phrases or solid beaded bracelets to mix in and stack together will look even better! Make them for yourself or for someone else to gift to!
Let us know what letter bead bracelet creations you come up with! We hope you enjoy making these stretch bracelets as much as we did!
Enjoy DIY projects? Make sure to check out our post on DIY Bleach Tie-Dye!
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